Gathering tools

So... it turns out that 43 Folders is more of a conversation/mindset than it is a tool. I'll check back there periodically for inspiration/motivation, kind of like how I visit hackaday. Meanwhile, Jira costs at least $10. So, that leaves me with Rally as the free opportunity to get organized while learning a bit about Agile development along the way. Thus far, I have four Bugs, three Stories (1 completed!), two Milestones, and one Project. Tonight: spousal training on workflow: bugs, grooming, etc.

Meanwhile, on the life side of things, I found these three blog posts semi-related and impactful:

Cranking by Merlin Mann.
Penelope Trunk's latest. Note: this contains full-tilt speculation about current events which I can't endorse. But, the underlying themes are no less relevant: what lies are we telling to ourselves? to others?
Arianna Huffington on Burnout.

In the context of getting organized and prioritizing tasks, I think these three pieces pull together some important threads. Why get organized? Why become more efficient/productive? For more money or prestige? Yesterday, David Brooks was on public radio talking about character. I like how he discussed our societal shift toward "resume virtues" and away from "eulogy virtues". I think it's time to set aside the climber resume polishing mindset and accept that we can't "have it all". I love solving problems and designing new products with a professional team. But, I also want to be an excellent spouse, parent, and friend. The path I'm aiming for is: effective prioritization leads to less stress/more energy which leads to more product design breakthroughs and a circle of family/friends with whom to celebrate.

What we need here is...

When I was working full-time at an office, a to-do list was not really necessary. By the time work, kids, sleeping, and bathing were accomplished, there was very little time left over for projects at home. I think that this can reasonably be categorized as a crisis/triage approach to tasks.

But, on my first day consulting from home, my head was full of ways I COULD spend the day... fix that clunk from the front passenger tire? mow the lawn for the first time this season? work on the treehouse? update my LinkedIn profile? catch up on paperwork and shred old receipts? get pricing for that CAD package I'll need, or maybe just a nice long bike ride... I think this is a common problem for engineers - we possess the skills to do many tasks, but each one of them takes time and focus - where to begin? At the office, project managers are assigned to keep us on task. At home, I usually start the morning with one high priority task, one fun task, and maybe some soup for supper. Suddenly, it's 7pm, the kids are hungry, the dining room table is covered with a project, and the soup is only half complete. Where did the time go?

If this consulting gig is going to work, I need to make sure that my weekdays don't devolve like so many Saturdays of the past; it's time for some prioritization! I'm sure that this could be done with Post-It notes or a whiteboard, but this is 2015, and everything needs a web interface! So, on the top of my priority list: choose a work/issue tracking tool: I've used Jira in the past, had some brief exposure to Rally, and heard good things about 43 Folders. Stay tuned for a decision.